What do you think?
Rate this book
The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners
This classic Berenstain Bears story is a perfect way to teach children about the importance of good manners!Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book? from Stan and Jan Berenstain. Mama has noticed that Papa, Brother, and Sister have not been using their good manners, so now it¡¯s up to her to help get back on track. Includes over 50 bonus stickers!
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1985
150 people are currently reading
1,607 people want to read
About the author
Stan Berenstain
760?books674?followersStan and (often called The Berenstains) were American writers and illustrators best known for creating the children's book series the Berenstain Bears. Their son Mike Berenstain joined them as a creative team in the late 1980s.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
January 14, 2020
This is about being kind and polite to each other and what the two things look like. We start out with the family fighting and being rude to each other. Mama comes up with a plan where you are rude or mean and you get extra chores. Wow, that sounds like a good idea. I don¡¯t know if it would work, but it¡¯s a good idea.
If there was a way to get our kids doing chores, I would suggest this at our house, but I don¡¯t think it would work. You can ask the niece to do something and she wont do it so I don¡¯t know how you can get her to do extra chores either. The nephew is pretty much the same. They are in a place and it is not the best between the two. They fight so terribly. I know it¡¯s the age
The nephew thought this book was silly. When brother and sister started being extremely polite to each other, he thought that was just silly. Kids don¡¯t act that way. He didn¡¯t think Mama was right here. He gave this 2 stars.
If there was a way to get our kids doing chores, I would suggest this at our house, but I don¡¯t think it would work. You can ask the niece to do something and she wont do it so I don¡¯t know how you can get her to do extra chores either. The nephew is pretty much the same. They are in a place and it is not the best between the two. They fight so terribly. I know it¡¯s the age
The nephew thought this book was silly. When brother and sister started being extremely polite to each other, he thought that was just silly. Kids don¡¯t act that way. He didn¡¯t think Mama was right here. He gave this 2 stars.
July 2, 2020
Featured in today's grandma reads session.
In these days of COVID-19 Pandemic, where we are all in close quarters 24/7, a message that encourages respect, kindness and love by communicating and living life by a code of "manners" cannot be stressed too often - especially when the participants are at different stages of their human journey. All ages need this message. Often and thoroughly. With charts, flash card, by games or with art, with angry brows and pursed lips, with jokes or even tears, if necessary. Whatever it takes to remind the old, young and middle-aged - do it.
Important Message. Vehicle: Berenstain Bears. It works.
In these days of COVID-19 Pandemic, where we are all in close quarters 24/7, a message that encourages respect, kindness and love by communicating and living life by a code of "manners" cannot be stressed too often - especially when the participants are at different stages of their human journey. All ages need this message. Often and thoroughly. With charts, flash card, by games or with art, with angry brows and pursed lips, with jokes or even tears, if necessary. Whatever it takes to remind the old, young and middle-aged - do it.
Important Message. Vehicle: Berenstain Bears. It works.
June 29, 2020
Back when daycare was where I went to after school until my mom could come get me I would read. I remember this was pushed on us because many kids were messy and kept destroying playdoh.
December 21, 2020
Brother and sister bear have forgotten their manners and their patience along with it and they push and shove each other as well. Mama bear notices and isn't happy about any of it. She tried coaxing, complaining and shouting but didn't get anywhere. Then she comes up with a plan of penalties for every manner forgotten. This plan works much like the swear jar.
Brother and sister bear come up with their own plan of being super polite to each other and thinking that mama will get fed up of it and call the whole thing off but mama can't get enough of it and papa bear is the one who gets fed up as he keeps forgetting his manners and ends up with extra chores. But then papa bear along with sister and brother bear learn the lesson of how far the manners and politeness will take you.
I absolutely loved this. It is a great way to teach kids manners and politeness and being courteous. Pictures are always great in this series.
5 stars
Brother and sister bear come up with their own plan of being super polite to each other and thinking that mama will get fed up of it and call the whole thing off but mama can't get enough of it and papa bear is the one who gets fed up as he keeps forgetting his manners and ends up with extra chores. But then papa bear along with sister and brother bear learn the lesson of how far the manners and politeness will take you.
I absolutely loved this. It is a great way to teach kids manners and politeness and being courteous. Pictures are always great in this series.
5 stars
February 15, 2019
When Mama Bear's efforts to improve her family's manners are unsuccessful, she devises a Politeness Plan--a chart listing a chore as a penalty for each act of rudeness. Basic etiquette is presented in a practical way. Berenstain illustrations add humor and understanding.
By hook or crook you need to teach your kids some manners so that they can deal in better way with the world ..
Sometimes we need to adopt some unethical means to teach a lesson to our kids.. But it's totally necessary sometimes but only sometimes
By hook or crook you need to teach your kids some manners so that they can deal in better way with the world ..
Sometimes we need to adopt some unethical means to teach a lesson to our kids.. But it's totally necessary sometimes but only sometimes
May 20, 2015
Berenstain Bear books are an excellent choice for parents who prefer didactic stories unalloyed with entertainment. They teach stern lessons without humor, or joy. That's my general complaint.
My specific complaint for Manners is Mama Bear's plan to punish poor manners by requiring the offended to do necessary household chores. So who does the chores if no one behaves rudely? Do they fall to Mama by default? Wouldn't that give her an incentive to subtly encourage misbehavior? And what do children learn if they are excused from household chores as a reward for ordinary politeness? Why should learning manners relieve them of learning responsibility?
A dull book with a problematic message. Fail.
My specific complaint for Manners is Mama Bear's plan to punish poor manners by requiring the offended to do necessary household chores. So who does the chores if no one behaves rudely? Do they fall to Mama by default? Wouldn't that give her an incentive to subtly encourage misbehavior? And what do children learn if they are excused from household chores as a reward for ordinary politeness? Why should learning manners relieve them of learning responsibility?
A dull book with a problematic message. Fail.
November 26, 2021
This is one of the Berenstain Bears books that I still feel holds up well today. There are a few exceptions throughout, of course, depending on how your household functions, but still a good read with kids.
August 27, 2016
Not only could this book not keep my daughter's attention, it also teaches that chores are a punishment.
March 23, 2015
I read the book, "The Berenstain Bear Forget Their Manners", by Stan and Jan Berenstain to my three cousins. It is a very good book. I used to read this book when I was younger. Now I am reading it to my cousins and nephews.
In the book, the bear cubs, Brother and Sister Bear were very rude to each other and refuse to use their manners. Mama and Papa Bear tried everything to stop the fighting and name calling, but nothing worked. Finally, Mama and Papa Bear came up with a plan. She made a chart with the rude behaviors along with a punishment or chore the cubs had to do if they forgot their manners. At first Brother and Sister Bear tried to trick mother by being too nice, but that didn't work. Soon the Cubs were being very polite without even realizing it. Even though the list didn't help the cubs however it did help Papa Bear. He had to do almost everything on the list. Papa Bear learned that he needed to use his manner too even if he is Papa Bear.
There were four main characters in this story. There was Mama Bear who was the problem solver who took care of the kids and Papa Bear's problem. Papa Bear, who was part of the problem and he also learned that manners were important. Their two kids Brother and Sister Bear needed to learn how to use their manners.
The story takes place in a big tree house down a sunny dirt road deep in bear country. There was no time period.
My cousins, ages three, four, age send seven really liked this book and thought that having to use their manners like Brother and Sister Bear did was something they should do too. I would recommend this book to anyone between the ages of three and up. It shows how important it is for all ages to use good manners.
In the book, the bear cubs, Brother and Sister Bear were very rude to each other and refuse to use their manners. Mama and Papa Bear tried everything to stop the fighting and name calling, but nothing worked. Finally, Mama and Papa Bear came up with a plan. She made a chart with the rude behaviors along with a punishment or chore the cubs had to do if they forgot their manners. At first Brother and Sister Bear tried to trick mother by being too nice, but that didn't work. Soon the Cubs were being very polite without even realizing it. Even though the list didn't help the cubs however it did help Papa Bear. He had to do almost everything on the list. Papa Bear learned that he needed to use his manner too even if he is Papa Bear.
There were four main characters in this story. There was Mama Bear who was the problem solver who took care of the kids and Papa Bear's problem. Papa Bear, who was part of the problem and he also learned that manners were important. Their two kids Brother and Sister Bear needed to learn how to use their manners.
The story takes place in a big tree house down a sunny dirt road deep in bear country. There was no time period.
My cousins, ages three, four, age send seven really liked this book and thought that having to use their manners like Brother and Sister Bear did was something they should do too. I would recommend this book to anyone between the ages of three and up. It shows how important it is for all ages to use good manners.
April 22, 2018
The Bears are forgetting their manners and Mama Bear needs to step in and make things right (again). I like the fact that not using proper manners had some rather serious consequences. On the other hand, using housework as punishment kind of sets the cubs up for a heavy dislike of cleaning as adult bears, so this leaves me somewhat conflicted.
Overall, I thought the cubs reactions were great, and the fact that Papa Bear had to learn his manners all over again is a nice reminder that the adults don't always get things right - especially in this regard. Manners are an ongoing process, that you need to be aware of throughout your life. Overall not a bad book.
And... thank you for reading my review.
Overall, I thought the cubs reactions were great, and the fact that Papa Bear had to learn his manners all over again is a nice reminder that the adults don't always get things right - especially in this regard. Manners are an ongoing process, that you need to be aware of throughout your life. Overall not a bad book.
And... thank you for reading my review.
April 27, 2013
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïThe Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners by Stan and Jan Berestain
There's trouble in the tree house. The manners have gone out the window. This started off small, like not saying please, excuse me, or thank you. Then it went to just, plain rude. Mama's solution, make a chart. A mama after my own heart. List the rudeness with the penalty, major house work. This goes for Papa, too, who's the first to try out the new list.
This book teaches not only manners, but responsibility.
There's trouble in the tree house. The manners have gone out the window. This started off small, like not saying please, excuse me, or thank you. Then it went to just, plain rude. Mama's solution, make a chart. A mama after my own heart. List the rudeness with the penalty, major house work. This goes for Papa, too, who's the first to try out the new list.
This book teaches not only manners, but responsibility.
March 7, 2019
Some would call this book cheesy, and the whole chore/rudeness thing seemed a bit over the top, but manners are always good to know. This was published way back in the 1980's but given how shitty kids (and adults) can be today this is definitely one of the good Berenstain Bear books.
January 24, 2015
recommended
I recommend this book and others like it because it teaches morals and social values. My 2 year old grandson enjoys the Berenstain Bears series.
I recommend this book and others like it because it teaches morals and social values. My 2 year old grandson enjoys the Berenstain Bears series.
July 19, 2018
Great book for kids and even some adults. Lol.
June 26, 2020
Brother, Sister and Papa are driving Mama Bear mad with their dreadful manners-shoving, interrupting, and a general lack of manners. Mama decides it is time to punish bad manners with extra chores which Papa falls foul of the most! Amusing story.
April 8, 2024
I love mama bear¡¯s face lol
Read
February 13, 2025Happy I love to read month featuring books on my stack to read to kids! They loved it. I remember loving Franklin and The Berenstain Bears as a child so good to see the books are still in circulation and peaking children's interest.
October 8, 2021
I like it because this book can teach someone about manners which in the book said that is very important.
June 11, 2014
(1985)
Summary: The bear family was having trouble with their manners. They did not use kind words and mama bear did not know what caused all of it. She finally got fed up with them so she made a plan. Every time someone in the family did something bad, there was a consequence. Brother and sister bear had a plan. They decided to be extra polite because they thought that mama bear would be fed up and call the plan off. It didn't work, but it made them politer cubs because they became accustomed to being polite. Papa bear was the only one having trouble, but when they got into an accident he realized that it was only right to always be polite.
Evaluation: I believe that this book is for early transitional readers. The words are smaller and seem to be in almost a paragraph like form. There are also many different tenses and dialogue. The teacher can make a great connection with the classroom environment and how there is a cause and effect to everything that the students do. It can also connect with good manners and how everyone needs to have them.
Questions:
1.Why are manners important?
2.Was there ever a time where you forgot your manners?
3.What are ways to remember them?
4.Can you come up with different manners we need to uphold in the classroom?
Summary: The bear family was having trouble with their manners. They did not use kind words and mama bear did not know what caused all of it. She finally got fed up with them so she made a plan. Every time someone in the family did something bad, there was a consequence. Brother and sister bear had a plan. They decided to be extra polite because they thought that mama bear would be fed up and call the plan off. It didn't work, but it made them politer cubs because they became accustomed to being polite. Papa bear was the only one having trouble, but when they got into an accident he realized that it was only right to always be polite.
Evaluation: I believe that this book is for early transitional readers. The words are smaller and seem to be in almost a paragraph like form. There are also many different tenses and dialogue. The teacher can make a great connection with the classroom environment and how there is a cause and effect to everything that the students do. It can also connect with good manners and how everyone needs to have them.
Questions:
1.Why are manners important?
2.Was there ever a time where you forgot your manners?
3.What are ways to remember them?
4.Can you come up with different manners we need to uphold in the classroom?
September 20, 2017
Summary: This book tells the story of The Berenstain Bear family. In this story, Mother Bear becomes worried because Brother Bear, Sister Bear, and even Papa Bear seem to be frequently be forgetting their manners. Some of their poor behaviors include interrupting, arguing, and reaching over others at dinner. To improve these behaviors, Mother Bear comes up with a plan. She creates a chart of punishments that will be given to anyone who displays poor manners. Brother Bear and Sister Bear strive to display proper manners, and it eventually becomes natural to them. On the other hand, Papa Bear struggles to correct his poor manners. However, with help from each other, all of the members of the Bear family eventually learn to display proper manners, even when faced with difficult situations.
This would be a great book to implement in the classroom.
Teaching Ideas: As a teacher, I would use this at the beginning of the year, ideally with kindergartners, to teach them proper manners to display in the classroom.
Evaluation: personally love this book! I think readers can learn valuable lessons from reading it. The illustrations of Berenstain Bear books are also amazing.
This would be a great book to implement in the classroom.
Teaching Ideas: As a teacher, I would use this at the beginning of the year, ideally with kindergartners, to teach them proper manners to display in the classroom.
Evaluation: personally love this book! I think readers can learn valuable lessons from reading it. The illustrations of Berenstain Bear books are also amazing.
December 6, 2017
This Berenstain Bears book has a great message for kids and adults alike, it is a great reminder about the importance of having manners and that we should always be on our best behavior when interacting with other people. It would be great for a lesson on classroom manners and how to act respectfully.
January 10, 2013
My kids pay more attention to the Berenstain Bears than they do to me, so if I can get in a few more readings of this book this week, I think we may have some progress.
Also, I love that these books have suggestions for parenting ideas contained within the story. As a parent, I appreciate that.
Also, I love that these books have suggestions for parenting ideas contained within the story. As a parent, I appreciate that.
November 6, 2017
The characters were going through it but mama bear Came and got everyone together.
May 14, 2018
I loved reading the Berenstain Bears books to my kids...
December 13, 2018
One of my favorite childhood reads!
The magic is still there as an adult. ;]
The magic is still there as an adult. ;]
January 29, 2019
The kids really enjoyed this one. Again it¡¯s classic Berenstain Bears and doesn¡¯t disappoint.
July 16, 2019
I love the berenstain bears. I like the way this story shows that when you do good things, they turn into habits without even noticing.
I find it amusing that Papa Bear always has difficulty.
I find it amusing that Papa Bear always has difficulty.
July 24, 2019
I love rereading the books I remember as a child- even if it was Bernstein Bears!
November 3, 2019
Had to reach my reading goal for the year. Lol!
April 13, 2024
I'm surprised this is still making its rounds (though I don't know why¡ªI've found books from the *1800s* in free libraries), but it's nostalgic to refresh my memory after *mumble* years. Thinking I should have taken a different book from the free library, but it's nice to reverify my opinion on this.
Thoughts:
- Their tree house is clearly bigger on the inside¡ªthe exterior shot makes it look like one large room above an extremely tiny entryway (the trunk), and I can't see where their feet would go.
- Mama really doesn't have any way to *enforce* the rules she presents, if Papa's shouting and banging his fist on the table has no effect.
- This taught me there's a difference between "empty garbage" and "put out trash"! It seems like they'd be the same thing!
- The rules don't seem particularly matched to the punishments. Forget "Excuse me" like five times in a row, can you really empty the trash five times? I mean, at least forgetting "Please" or "Thank you" means going through the motions of sweeping the front steps, even if it's not productive.
- Back in the day, I actually had to ask my mother what Mama was going to say before she got interrupted! For some reason, I couldn't finish the sentence on my own! ("Why, without manners¡ª")*
- That's a really strange place for Papa to randomly interrupt, anyway. Whatever advances the story, I guess!
- Car bumpers actually WORKED back in the day! *sad memories of my old car imploding from a relatively slow impact*
To be honest, I'm not sure this book really taught me to mind my manners, haha. It's a fine read all the same, whether or not it's effective.
*Mom said, "We'd be like cavemen!"
Thoughts:
- Their tree house is clearly bigger on the inside¡ªthe exterior shot makes it look like one large room above an extremely tiny entryway (the trunk), and I can't see where their feet would go.
- Mama really doesn't have any way to *enforce* the rules she presents, if Papa's shouting and banging his fist on the table has no effect.
- This taught me there's a difference between "empty garbage" and "put out trash"! It seems like they'd be the same thing!
- The rules don't seem particularly matched to the punishments. Forget "Excuse me" like five times in a row, can you really empty the trash five times? I mean, at least forgetting "Please" or "Thank you" means going through the motions of sweeping the front steps, even if it's not productive.
- Back in the day, I actually had to ask my mother what Mama was going to say before she got interrupted! For some reason, I couldn't finish the sentence on my own! ("Why, without manners¡ª")*
- That's a really strange place for Papa to randomly interrupt, anyway. Whatever advances the story, I guess!
- Car bumpers actually WORKED back in the day! *sad memories of my old car imploding from a relatively slow impact*
To be honest, I'm not sure this book really taught me to mind my manners, haha. It's a fine read all the same, whether or not it's effective.
*Mom said, "We'd be like cavemen!"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.